Councilors Criticize 'Ignoring Northern Taiwan's Electricity Needs'; Feitsui Reservoir Administration: Hope to Stabilize Water Supply for Northern Taiwan
The Feitsui Reservoir Administration (FRIA) stated recently that it will no longer cooperate with Taipower to extend power generation without reasonable compensation. Taipei City Councilor Yen Jo-fang demanded today that the threat of "ignoring Northern Taiwan's electricity needs" be withdrawn; FRIA Director Lin Yu-yi said the aim is to stabilize water supply for Northern Taiwan, not political intimidation.
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- 📰 Published: April 20, 2026 at 21:05
- 🔍 Collected: April 20, 2026 at 21:32 (26 min after Published)
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: April 20, 2026 at 21:34 (2 min after Collected)
Central News Agency (CNA) - Taipei, April 20, 2026 - The Feitsui Reservoir Administration (FRIA) stated recently that it will no longer cooperate with Taipower to extend power generation without reasonable compensation. Taipei City Councilor Yen Jo-fang demanded today that the threat of "ignoring Northern Taiwan's electricity needs" be withdrawn; FRIA Director Lin Yu-yi said the aim is to stabilize water supply for Northern Taiwan, not political intimidation.
During the Taipei City Council's Finance and Construction Committee questioning and responses this afternoon, Taiwan People's Party Taipei City Councilor Lin Chen-yu questioned that according to the Control Yuan's data, the Taipei Feitsui Reservoir Administration has been selling electricity to Taipower at the lowest price for many years, and is now being questioned for extortion. She fully supports Taipei City not being taken advantage of and asked Director Lin Yu-yi to stand firm and reclaim the money belonging to the citizens through legitimate channels.
DPP Councilor Lin Yen-feng stated that regarding the water consumption fee dispute, the city government requires Taipower Company to purchase electricity at NT$14.6 per kilowatt-hour, but the Water Resources Agency of the Ministry of Economic Affairs believes that hydropower generation is not a water-consuming activity and therefore does not require the collection of water consumption fees. She asked how the subsequent negotiations would proceed.
Lin Yu-yi responded that this is not a collection but a draft compensation agreement that still requires negotiation, and both parties can discuss it. This is based on the Control Yuan's audit opinions.
Lin Yen-feng believed that if this path is to be pursued, the city government should commit to receiving at least NT$14.6 per kilowatt-hour for selling electricity from Feitsui Reservoir to other private entities after obtaining green energy certification, otherwise, the city treasury will suffer losses. Secondly, if the Taipei City Government's electricity is to be retained for self-use, it should primarily be for the Taipei Nangang Science Park.
Lin Yu-yi stated that green energy certificates are a future direction of effort, but the Control Yuan believes the purchase rate is too low, and compensation is for emergency dispatch needs, which are two different matters.
DPP Councilor Yen Jo-fang then questioned that the Control Yuan mentioned the issue of consumption, stating that the Feitsui Reservoir consumes about 500 million tons of water annually, which is 434 times more than for emergency power generation support. She demanded a report on the consumption of 500 million tons of water within one month.
Yen Jo-fang said that regardless of how much green electricity is applied for in the future and how much it is sold for, revenue can be expanded, but it is required to withdraw the threats and political intimidation against Northern Taiwan's electricity supply.
Lin Yu-yi said that the Feitsui Reservoir undertakes flood control and water management needs. The Control Yuan's remarks are concerning water resource dispatch issues, based on maintaining Taipei's precious water resources. Currently, water conditions in central and southern Taiwan are tight, and the hope is to stabilize the living water supply for Northern Taiwan, clarifying that there is no political intimidation.
The Taipei Feitsui Reservoir Administration stated on the 17th that the hydropower generation of Feitsui Reservoir still sells electricity to Taipower according to the contract and has not stopped power supply. Regarding the water consumption compensation for extended hydropower generation, as Taipower has not agreed to sign the contract, it will not cooperate with extended power generation support until a reasonable compensation mechanism is in place.
The Water Resources Agency of the Ministry of Economic Affairs explained on the 19th that hydropower generation is not a water-consuming activity. According to Article 84-1 of the Water Act, the Ministry of Economic Affairs does not charge water consumption fees for water used in hydropower generation. Taipower also stated that the object of water consumption fee collection should be those who substantially "consume water resources," but the tailwater from hydropower generation is ultimately fully retained in the downstream reservoirs, and the water resources are not reduced or depleted.
The FRIA further explained on the 19th that the downstream weir of the Feitsui Reservoir is essentially not a reservoir. It operates at a high water level normally and does not have sufficient storage capacity to store additional water released due to power generation. Therefore, most of the water discharged in large quantities flows directly into the river and eventually to the sea, making effective reuse difficult. In addition, the FRIA developed the draft compensation mechanism based on the Control Yuan's audit opinions and referring to the water consumption compensation rate set by the Ministry of Economic Affairs. (Edited by Hsiao Po-wen) 1150420
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During the Taipei City Council's Finance and Construction Committee questioning and responses this afternoon, Taiwan People's Party Taipei City Councilor Lin Chen-yu questioned that according to the Control Yuan's data, the Taipei Feitsui Reservoir Administration has been selling electricity to Taipower at the lowest price for many years, and is now being questioned for extortion. She fully supports Taipei City not being taken advantage of and asked Director Lin Yu-yi to stand firm and reclaim the money belonging to the citizens through legitimate channels.
DPP Councilor Lin Yen-feng stated that regarding the water consumption fee dispute, the city government requires Taipower Company to purchase electricity at NT$14.6 per kilowatt-hour, but the Water Resources Agency of the Ministry of Economic Affairs believes that hydropower generation is not a water-consuming activity and therefore does not require the collection of water consumption fees. She asked how the subsequent negotiations would proceed.
Lin Yu-yi responded that this is not a collection but a draft compensation agreement that still requires negotiation, and both parties can discuss it. This is based on the Control Yuan's audit opinions.
Lin Yen-feng believed that if this path is to be pursued, the city government should commit to receiving at least NT$14.6 per kilowatt-hour for selling electricity from Feitsui Reservoir to other private entities after obtaining green energy certification, otherwise, the city treasury will suffer losses. Secondly, if the Taipei City Government's electricity is to be retained for self-use, it should primarily be for the Taipei Nangang Science Park.
Lin Yu-yi stated that green energy certificates are a future direction of effort, but the Control Yuan believes the purchase rate is too low, and compensation is for emergency dispatch needs, which are two different matters.
DPP Councilor Yen Jo-fang then questioned that the Control Yuan mentioned the issue of consumption, stating that the Feitsui Reservoir consumes about 500 million tons of water annually, which is 434 times more than for emergency power generation support. She demanded a report on the consumption of 500 million tons of water within one month.
Yen Jo-fang said that regardless of how much green electricity is applied for in the future and how much it is sold for, revenue can be expanded, but it is required to withdraw the threats and political intimidation against Northern Taiwan's electricity supply.
Lin Yu-yi said that the Feitsui Reservoir undertakes flood control and water management needs. The Control Yuan's remarks are concerning water resource dispatch issues, based on maintaining Taipei's precious water resources. Currently, water conditions in central and southern Taiwan are tight, and the hope is to stabilize the living water supply for Northern Taiwan, clarifying that there is no political intimidation.
The Taipei Feitsui Reservoir Administration stated on the 17th that the hydropower generation of Feitsui Reservoir still sells electricity to Taipower according to the contract and has not stopped power supply. Regarding the water consumption compensation for extended hydropower generation, as Taipower has not agreed to sign the contract, it will not cooperate with extended power generation support until a reasonable compensation mechanism is in place.
The Water Resources Agency of the Ministry of Economic Affairs explained on the 19th that hydropower generation is not a water-consuming activity. According to Article 84-1 of the Water Act, the Ministry of Economic Affairs does not charge water consumption fees for water used in hydropower generation. Taipower also stated that the object of water consumption fee collection should be those who substantially "consume water resources," but the tailwater from hydropower generation is ultimately fully retained in the downstream reservoirs, and the water resources are not reduced or depleted.
The FRIA further explained on the 19th that the downstream weir of the Feitsui Reservoir is essentially not a reservoir. It operates at a high water level normally and does not have sufficient storage capacity to store additional water released due to power generation. Therefore, most of the water discharged in large quantities flows directly into the river and eventually to the sea, making effective reuse difficult. In addition, the FRIA developed the draft compensation mechanism based on the Control Yuan's audit opinions and referring to the water consumption compensation rate set by the Ministry of Economic Affairs. (Edited by Hsiao Po-wen) 1150420
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The text, images, and audio-visual content on this website may not be reproduced, broadcast, transmitted, or used without authorization.